MEMORIAL RESOLUTION FOR DARLENE CRAWFORD
WHEREAS, it is with great sadness that members of this Chamber learned of the death of Darlene Crawford on March 20, 2109; and
WHEREAS, The City Council has been informed of her passing by the Honorable Gregory Mitchell, Alderman of the 7th Ward; and
WHEREAS, Darlene was born on January 18, 1944 to loving parents William and Juanita Duke in Chicago, Illinois. She is affectionately known as "Jill" by many and was the youngest of two children with one brother, the late William Duke, Jr.; and
WHEREAS, Darlene and her husband, Richmond Crawford, grew up just blocks away in the same neighborhood. After a fun-loving courtship (it's been told that Richmond jumped the fence to snag some flowers for her to prove his love) the two were joined in matrimony in 1964. They celebrated 55 wonderful years of marriage together this January; and
WHEREAS, from this union, Darlene and Richmond were blessed with two wonderful children, a daughter, Carisa, and a son, Brian; and
WHEREAS, Darlene was known for her grace, kindness, love of family, and energetic spirit. She trusted in the Lord and was a faithful member of Trinity AME Church, displaying her Christian duties for the Savior. She always placed God first and lived her life with that firm conviction, leaving a legacy of faith, dignity and love; and
WHEREAS, Darlene was a tremendous advocate of education. It was of the utmost importance to her. She attended Loretta Academy High School and received her Bachelor's degree from Chicago State University and Master's degree from Loyola University. She also was actively pursuing her PhD; and
WHEREAS, her passion for helping others led her to the education field where she began her career as a teacher with the Chicago Public Schools; and
WHEREAS, Darlene later worked at the University of Illinois' Counseling Center for several decades; receiving many well deserved accolades for her work. She began work there as an Academic Skills Specialist diagnosing learning skills deficiencies and was designing programs to correct these deficiencies in the University's College of Medicine; and
WHEREAS, as the Assistant Director of the Urban Health Program at the University of Illinois, Darlene saw the need and helped create the structure for activities relating to the academic enhancement of minority health professional students. Darlene also formed her own counseling business giving workshops on study skills; and
WHEREAS, after retirement, her volunteer work intensified and she was a very strong community advocate. She frequently wrote letters to news stations when they inaccurately
portrayed the various neighborhoods within the City. Darlene wanted to insure that the information was accurate and that those neighborhoods were not misrepresented; and
WHEREAS, Darlene worked tirelessly in the service of others. She volunteered on multiple committees and served for many years as President of the Merrill Avenue Block Club and the Vice President of the Jesse Owens Park Advisory Council as Vice President. She also volunteered in election campaigns and was a member of the Southeast Chicago Chamber of Commerce; and
WHEREAS, Darlene leaves to cherish her memory, her adoring husband, Richmond Crawford, loving daughter, Carisa Crawford Chappell; and devoted son, Brian Richmond Crawford; grandchildren, Carmin Chappell and Kendall Chappell; cousin Celestine, and a host of nieces and nephews; and
WHEREAS, Darlene was preceded in death by her loving parents William and Juanita Duke, and her loyal brother, William Duke, Jr.; and
WHEREAS, Darlene touched the lives of all who knew her through her warm and loving ways and her vivacious spirit. She will be deeply missed, but the memory of her character, intelligence, faith, and compassion will live on in those who knew and loved her, now therefore
BE IT RESOLVED, that we, the Mayor and members of the City Council of Chicago, gathered here this tenth day of April, 2019, do hereby express our deep sorrow on the death of Darlene Crawford and express our deepest sympathies to her family and friends; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a suitable copy of this resolution be prepared and presented to the family of Darlene Crawford as a sign of our honor and respect.
